Fluvial geomorphic landscape design computer software

ABSTRACT

A method and system is provided for producing erosionally stable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in a computer aided design environment. A topography input module is configured to access a three-dimensional model of existing topography of a site, while a data input module is configured to receive climatic and hydrological data associated with the site. A channel geometry module is configured to utilize the three-dimensional model and the data to generate dimensions for one or more proposed ephemeral channels. A design surface module generates a graphical view of a proposed landform at the site using the existing topography, the proposed ephemeral channels, and optionally, various complementary topographic features.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/502,497, entitled, Fluvial Geomorphic Landscape Design ComputerSoftware, filed Sep. 12, 2003.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a computer implemented system and method forcreating landscape designs based on fluvial geomorphic principles.

2. Background Information

Throughout this application, various publications, patents and publishedpatent applications are referred to by an identifying citation. Thedisclosures of the publications, patents and published patentapplications referenced in this application are hereby incorporated byreference into the present disclosure.

Traditional landscape design, whether generated manually or usingcomputer aided design software, is generally based on subjectivejudgment of landscape appearance or a desired land use with littleconsideration of proper hydrologic function for balanced conveyance ofwater and sediment from the land surface. Any water and sedimentconveyance is typically accomplished through the use of engineeredstructural controls, such as drains and/or off-site earth material suchas rip-rap and other aggregate.

Such structural controls tend to be relatively expensive, and onceinstalled, require long-term maintenance, particularly when used onrelatively large scale projects such as civil engineering forresidential and commercial real estate, golf courses, ski areas,resorts, parks, highway and municipal construction, mined-land and othermineral resource company reclamation, repair of flood, earthquake,landslide, or otherwise drastically disturbed lands, reclamation ofindustrial areas to other uses, etc.

Moreover, conventional landscape design is typically based on conveyinga single extreme discharge event, conveying only water discharge, andtends to be less than effective at conveying sediment discharges at lowQ (water flow).

Such designs often rely on the use of gradient terraces, relativelyexpensive off-site earth material, such as rip-rap and artificial drainsystems such as culverts and down drains, to effect such waterdischarge. These conventional approaches tend to be relativelyexpensive, particularly when implemented on steep slopes, and requireon-going long term maintenance, which may be particularlydisadvantageous when implemented in remote areas. Conventional designsalso tend to require relatively large amounts of backfill to reduceslopes, and often result in slopes of minimal diversity, to reduce thevariety of vegetation likely to grow successfully at the site, which inturn, tends to adversely affect the aesthetics of the reclaimed site.

Computer systems, such as the SurvCadd™ system available from Carlson™Software, Inc. (Maysville, Ky.) are capable of creating and displayingthree-dimensional computer models of existing landscape topographies,and comparing them to models of desired topographies. These systemscreate the existing landscape topographies by collecting data fromvehicles traversing the site. Moreover, the system disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,191,732, entitled Real-time surveying/earth moving system,and which is fully incorporated by reference herein, provides cut/fillinformation in real time to facilitate construction of a proposedlandscape topography.

The models of desired topographies, however, are generally importedrather than created by these systems.

A need exists for automating the generation of desired landscapetopographies, such as for reclamation of mined or otherwise disturbedland, in a manner that provides for erosionally stable, hydrologicallybalanced designs using on-site materials.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention includes a system for producing erosionallystable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in a computer aided designenvironment. The system includes a topography input module configured toaccess a three-dimensional model of existing topography of a site. Thesystem also includes a data input module configured to receive dataassociated with the site, including drainage density and precipitationdata in the range of at least an annual precipitation event to a 50-yearrecurrence precipitation event, to calculate a discharge value for thedischarge of storm water from the site. Additionally the system includesa channel geometry module configured to divide the discharge value by amaximum desired discharge flow velocity to generate cross-sectionaldimensions for a plurality of proposed ephemeral channels and ridgesdisposed therebetween. These cross-sectional dimensions are sufficientto convey discharge in the range of at least an annual precipitationevent to a 50-year recurrence precipitation event. Moreover, thecross-sectional dimensions are re-calculated iteratively at locationsalong the lengths of the channels to reflect incremental increases inwatershed area and flow in the downstream direction. The system alsoincludes a design surface module configured to generate plan andelevational views of a proposed landform at the site using the existingtopography, the channels, and the ridges. A three-dimensional model ofthe proposed landform is thus created according to fluvial geomorphicprinciples and site-specific data.

Another aspect of the invention includes a system for producingerosionally stable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in a computeraided design environment. This system includes a topography input moduleconfigured to access a three-dimensional model of existing topography ofa site. A data input module is configured to receive climatic andhydrological data associated with the site. A channel geometry module isconfigured to utilize the three-dimensional model and the data togenerate dimensions for one or more proposed ephemeral channels. Adesign surface module is configured to generate a graphical view of aproposed landform at the site using the existing topography, and the oneor more proposed ephemeral channels.

A further aspect of the invention includes a method for generatingerosionally stable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in a computeraided design environment. The method includes accessing a threedimensional model of an existing topography of a site, and receivingclimatic and hydrological data for the site. The method also includesgenerating dimensions for one or more ephemeral channels using thethree-dimensional model and the data, and generating a graphical view ofa proposed landform at the site using the existing topography, and theone or more proposed ephemeral channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of this invention will bemore readily apparent from a reading of the following detaileddescription of various aspects of the invention taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views similar to that of FIG. 1, of a more detailedembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 3-31 are screen displays illustrating the operation of anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to beunderstood that structural, procedural and system changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, likefeatures shown in the accompanying drawings shall be indicated with likereference numerals and similar features as shown in alternateembodiments in the drawings shall be indicated with similar referencenumerals.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isshown. This embodiment includes a computer aided design system 30 thatuses fluvial geomorphic principles to design stable landforms fordisturbed sites. This embodiment is based on river and upland hydrologicand geomorphologic research, which extends mathematical relationshipsthat define stream channel geometry to create stable upland landforms.An aspect of the invention was the realization that a givenunconsolidated earth material, placed at certain slopes, in a certainclimate, will tend to form a certain stable landform over a long periodof time.

In this regard, embodiments of the present invention are based onpresumptions that:

-   -   if the streams have dimensional characteristics that are related        to the discharge that they convey, it follows that the        dimensional characteristics of the landforms that deliver that        discharge to the streams should be related to the channels;    -   the dimensional characteristics of stable ephemeral channels        should be similar to stable perennial channels because they        function essentially the same when conveying discharge;    -   the bankfull event for ephemeral channels is related to an        annual precipitation event;    -   the flood prone area for an ephemeral channel is related to a        50-year recurrence interval event;    -   ridges and slopes in unconsolidated earth are landforms that        divide, collect, and convey discharge to channels and are formed        by flowing water between channels; and    -   ridge shapes in unconsolidated material are related to the        channel's meandering pattern.

System 30 uses a topography input module 32 to access athree-dimensional model of the existing topography of a particular siteor locus. A data input module 34 receives data, such as provided by auser and/or third parties (e.g., via the Internet) to estimate thedischarge of storm water from the locus. A Channel Geometry module 36then divides this discharge value by a maximum desired flow velocity togenerate a channel geometry and channel cross-sectional dimensions.

A Design Surface module 38 generates a plan view of the site, using theexisting topography acquired by Input Module 32, along with one or morechannels having the dimensions discussed above. Module 38 may thengenerate an appropriate longitudinal (e.g., elevational) profile for thesite, using the channel geometries calculated above, and re-calculatediteratively by module 36 to adjust the channel dimensions in thedownstream direction so that the channel dimensional characteristicsreflect the incremental increases in flow that result from incrementalincrease in watershed area in the downstream direction. Module 38 mayalso display main ridgelines and subridges. The result is an idealizeddraft landform that is created according to fluvial geomorphicprinciples and site-specific data. The idealized draft landform can thenbe modified to fit site-specific constraints, e.g., to route a channelaround a structure, or to enhance its appearance.

This embodiment is particularly useful in applications, such as stripmining operations, where large tracts of land must be regraded andreplanted once the desired minerals are removed. It may advantageouslyconsider a wide range of fluvial discharges, and include simulatednatural channel morphology designed to be hydrologically balanced, toadequately convey both water and sediment discharge. The designs arealso configured to be built using available on-site materials, whichtends to significantly lower costs, particularly on relatively steepslopes. These approaches also provide for natural, self-maintenance, andmay be used to reclaim steep slopes, while reducing material movingexpenses. Slope aspect diversity is also increased to promote vegetationvariety and success, for improved natural beauty. Increased slopediversity also benefits usage by animals, such as livestock andwildlife, by providing natural shelter from wind, etc.

Definitions

As used in this document, various terms are defined as follows:

Annual event—an event with a 1-year recurrence interval, i.e., astatistical probability of occurring in 1 of 1 years, or a 100%probability of occurrence at any time. (See also Q1.5 and Q50)

Base level—the channel-bottom elevation associated with the point towhich all upstream water drains.

Computer—a workstation, person computer, personal digital assistant(PDA), wireless telephone, or any other suitable computing device. Thecomputer may be coupled to other computers, and/or to the Internet usingone or more local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks(MANs), wide area networks (WANs), or any other appropriate wireline,wireless, or other links. The various components of the disclosedembodiments hereof may operate on one or more computers at one or morelocations, according to particular needs.

Concave longitudinal profile—concave upwards when viewed in crosssection. When referring to slopes, the bowl-shaped form toward whichstable slopes will tend to evolve when forming in unconsolidatedmaterial. When referring to stream channels, the channel-bottom formthat is steeper in headwaters and less steep at the channel base level.

Cut to fill balance—the ratio of material that needs to be removed (cut)to the material that needs to be placed (fill) to create the design.

Design boundary—the boundary line that encloses the land surface areathat will by designed using embodiments of the present invention. It maycoincide with a watershed boundary, or it may be a portion of awatershed.

Drainage density—a ratio of the length of valleys to the land area thatencompasses them.

Drainage pattern—the birds-eye view of the channel network in awatershed.

DTM—digital terrain model.

Ephemeral stream—a stream that flows only in direct response toprecipitation or snow melt.

Fluvial—related to or produced by flowing rivers or streams

Geomorphic—literally earth-form, landforms.

Gradient—a measurement of slope angle from the horizontal, calculated aschange in y (vertical) elevation divided by change in x (horizontal)elevation, and expressed as a dimensionless value. A negative value issometimes used to indicate that the slope is below horizontal, as when astream channel flows down hill. Gradient may also be expressed as aratio of x to y, e.g., 4:1. (also see ‘slope’)

Headwater elevation—the channel-bottom elevation associated with themost upstream point in the defined channel

NOAA—National Oceanics and Aeronautics Administration, the US Federalagency that collects and manages meteorological data.

Q1.5—The stream discharge, Q, associated with an event with a 1.5-yearrecurrence interval, i.e., a statistical probability of occurring in 1of 1.5 years, or a 67% probability of occurrence at any time. It isessentially equal to the annual discharge.

Q50—The stream discharge, Q, associated with an event with a 50-yearrecurrence interval, i.e., a statistical probability of occurring in 1of 50 years, or a 2% probability of occurrence at any time.

Rational Runoff Method—a standard method for estimating runoff dischargeusing the formula Q=CIA, where Q=runoff discharge, in units of cubicfeet per second, C=runoff coefficient, the proportion of incidentprecipitation that runs-off the land surface, I=rainfall intensitymeasured in inches per hour, A=land area in acres for which the Q iscalculated.

Sinuosity—the ratio of meandering stream channel length to straight-linevalley length, it is a dimensionless value, e.g. 120 feet meanderingchannel length/100 feet valley length=1.2.

Slope—A landform that rises or falls from the horizontal direction.(also see ‘gradient’).

Subwatershed—a smaller area within a watershed that capturesprecipitation and delivers the resulting contained runoff to adownstream point. Embodiments of the present invention break a largewatershed into many smaller subwatersheds according to fluvialgeomorphic principles and this limits both slope lengths and runoffdischarge to values that have stability against erosion that is similarto adjacent undisturbed lands.

TIN file—a triangle mesh file, known points are connected by linesegments to form an interconnected mesh of triangles with sides ofvarious lengths that can be used to model the three-dimensional surfaceon which the known points are located.

Programming Languages

The system and method embodying the present invention can be programmedin any suitable language and technology, such as, Hypertext MarkupLanguage (HTML), Active ServerPages (ASP) and Javascript. Alternativeversions maybe developed using other programming languages including,but not limited to: C++; Visual Basic; Java; VBScript; Jscript;BCMAscript; DHTM1; XML and CGI. Any suitable database technology can beemployed, but not limited to: Microsoft Access and IBM AS 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, more detailed embodiments, e.g., shownas system 30′ and variations thereof, of the present invention will bedescribed. Particular embodiments utilize the Autodesk™ AutoCAD™graphics design engine (Autodesk, Inc., San Rafael, Calif.) that is usedworldwide in the surveying, civil engineering, and mining industries,and thus provides a familiar and user-friendly software environment andgraphical user interface (GUI).

As shown, topography input module 32′ may include a surface file module40 to load and access a three-dimensional model of the existingtopography of a particular site or locus. A boundary module 42 enables auser to outline an area (e.g., watershed) within the locus to belandscaped (the landscape design area). This outlining may beaccomplished using a conventional user interface environment, e.g., byusing a computer mouse or pen to ‘draw’ the desired border on a planview of the existing topography as shown and discussed below.

A drainage density module 44 may then load the drainage density in thedesign area. The drainage density may be a value predetermined by theuser or obtained by published data for areas of similar surficialmaterials. Alternatively, module 44 may calculate a drainage density.This calculation may be accomplished by having the user trace existingchannels on a site map of another locus having similar surficialmaterials. Module 44 may then divide the length of the traced channelsby the watershed area of this other locus to yield the drainage density.Field verification of this calculated drainage density may be desired.

Optionally, module 32′ includes a natural regrade module 46 whichenables a user to effectively expand the area of the locus to includevarious natural features within an overall watershed area, but outsideof the area of immediate concern (e.g.,. beyond the area to bere-landscaped). Regrade module 46 thus enables these additional featuresto be taken into consideration when sizing and shaping the variousfeatures of the re-landscaped area discussed below.

Once the drainage density is determined, a sinuosity module 48 may beused to select a sinuosity value appropriate for a design channel. Thisis accomplished determining channel slope and length from thethree-dimensional model of the existing topography of the site, andassigning geomorphologically appropriate sinuosity values based on thoseparameters. These sinuosity values are based on data obtained fromnaturally occurring phenomena, and are generally inversely related toslope, tending to be lower (e.g., less than about 1.2, see sinuositydefinition) on relatively steep slopes (e.g., those having gradients ofgreater than about 0.04, see gradient definition), and higher (e.g.,greater than about 1.2) on slopes of lower gradient (less than about0.04). Also, appropriate sinuosity tends to be lower near theheadwaters, and tends to increase in the downstream direction.

The system then calculates the (nominally) straight-line length thatcorresponds to the total sinuous channel length.

The user, using the GUI, then draws a desired channel course, includingoptional branch channels, e.g., in a conventional dendritic pattern, onthe landscape design area map to the specified straight line length.Module 48 then applies the specified sinuosity to the channel(s) on theselected course. This module may then calculate the latitude andlongitude (e.g., as x and y values) for the channel at the apex of eachbend, e.g., using the known latitude and longitude coordinatesassociated with the site model loaded by module 40 as discussed above.Module 40 similarly calculates the latitude and longitude of each end(i.e., the headwater and channel mouth) thereof. These values may thenbe exported to a longitudinal profile module 50.

A ridgeline module 52 may be used to define ridgelines spaced at apredetermined location (e.g., substantially evenly spaced) betweenchannels, while maintaining slopes from these ridgelines towards thechannels at less than a predetermined level. Moreover, in the eventbranch channels have been defined, such as by module 48, then asubwatershed module 54 may be used to recalculate the drainage densitiesfor each subwatershed area in the vicinity of a branch channel in themanner described above with respect to module 44. Module 54 may thenensure that the particular branch channels are sufficiently sized toprovide the recalculated drainage densities.

Profile module 50 uses elevational information of the locus, includingbase level, headwater elevation, and slope, taken from the site modelacquired by module 40. Module 50 uses this data to generate anelevational curve (profile) taken along the length of the channel. Theuser may then vary the slope of the profile, e.g., at the headwater orchannel mouth, as desired. Profile module will then save thesethree-dimensional (e.g., x, y, and z) values as a preliminarythree-dimensional desired site model for the locus.

Data input module 34′ receives data from topography module 32′, a user,and/or third parties (e.g., via the Internet), relating to parameterssuch the area of the locus, drainage density, Regional area/bankfulldischarge curves, and precipitation values for average annual and 50year storms (such as obtained from NOAA precipitation records), toestimate discharge (e.g., the Q1.5 and Q50 stream discharges). Thesedischarges may be estimated using any conventional approach, such asRational Runoff Method (cite)), NRCS, and TR-55 graphical or tabular(cite).

Channel Geometry module 36′ then divides this discharge value by amaximum desired flow velocity (either preprogrammed based on variousparameters known to those skilled in the art, or selected by the user)to generate a channel cross sectional area. Using the width to depthratio for a desired channel type (e.g., a channel type selected by theuser), module 36′ estimates the Bankfull width, which, along withconventional equations for channel dimensions (e.g., Williams (1986)) isused to create a stream channel geometry and bankfull flow channelcross-sectional dimensions. In addition, the system may calculatechannel pattern dimensions for relatively steeper valley wall channelsbased on the selected channel sinuosity.

The channel's low flow dimensions, based on the annual (Q1.5) discharge,are calculated to be sufficient to transport a low-discharge sedimentload. Module 36′ may then use the 50-year storm data to estimate anddesign the channel dimensions for the 50 year storm event (e.g., for thefloodprone discharge). The channel banks are raised and the channeldepth increased to accommodate the 50-year recurrence interval (Q50)discharges and create floodprone dimensions sufficient to contain mostsuch discharges within the channel.

Module 36′ also typically includes an iteration module 56 that generatesthe aforementioned channel geometries iteratively at various positionsalong the lengths thereof in the downstream direction so that thechannel dimensional characteristics reflect the incremental increases inflow that result from incremental increase in watershed area in thedownstream direction.

Design Surface module 38′ includes a preview module 58 which generates aplan view of the site, using the existing topography acquired by InputModule 32, along with the dimensional data associated with one or morechannels as discussed above. This view generally includes the mainridgelines between the channels, extending to the user-defined boundaryand/or natural watershed boundary. Any subridges (as defined above),e.g., extending from channel meander bends up to the main ridgelines,are also included. This view may be easily modified, e.g., by simplyclicking and dragging a displayed feature, and/or by other simple GUIfunctionality common to the aforementioned AutoCAD™ environment. Thisfunctionality advantageously allows the user to easily adjust the draftchannel pattern to accommodate existing landscape constraints and/or tocreate a slightly irregular and more natural appearance. The ridgelinesbetween the designed channels may be similarly edited, with the systemautomatically making associated adjustments such as the valley-wallslopes as the user moves the ridgelines between the channels, or raisingor lowering the ridgeline to an elevation required to maintainuser-specified valley wall slopes. In this regard, unless overridden bythe user, the system may generate slopes calculated to have acceptableslope erosion estimates, such as provided by conventional sources suchas USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation, US Soil Conservation Service, andthe Agricultural Research Service, Agricultural Handbook Number 537(Wischmeier and Smith, 1965)), RUSLE, (Revised Universal Soil LossEquation, US Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Handbook Number 703(Renard, et al., 1997)). The system similarly may ensure that thegenerated channels satisfy channel flow and stability estimates providedby such conventional sources as the SEDCAD civil engineering softwareprogram for evaluation and design of sediment control structure (CivilSoftware Design, Lexington, Ky.), and US Army COE (U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers).

In the embodiment shown, module 38′ also includes a profile module 60,which generates a longitudinal (e.g., elevational) profile for the siteplan, using the channel geometries calculated above. This view may alsobe modified as described above with respect to module 58.

Module 38′ may also include a draw design surface module 62, which addsremaining features, in three dimensions, to the desired site model, suchas subwatershed valleys and various land profiles. A 3-D viewer 64facilitates viewing, editing, and evaluation of the proposed site plan.

A cut/fill module 66 facilitates rapid calculation of the materialbalance involved with the design. The user can edit the design and getnear-instantaneous recalculation of the material balance to aid inrapidly creating a design that is not only stable, functional, andaesthetically pleasing, but which can be practically constructed, e.g.,using available on-site material.

For example, system 30′ may calculate the total volume of materialneeded to create the three-dimensional design surface, as well as thecut and fill balance based on the amount of on-site material available.(The on-site material may be material that has been re-located, such asfor mining operations.) Once the cut and fill balance for a particulardesign has been calculated, the user may vary features such as ridgelineheights to adjust the material balance as needed to facilitateconstruction. If greater adjustment is needed to reach a cut and fillbalance, the user may also alter the basic channel pattern and valleywidths to achieve the desired balance.

Module 38′ also includes a save surface module 68 which enables thegenerated site plan to be edited and saved, e.g., for comparison withalternative plans. A report module 70 permits the output of variousparameters associated with the generated site design.

The foregoing embodiments may be stand-alone systems, or mayadvantageously be configured as modules of the aforementioned SurvCADD™grading system to advantageously reduce the time needed to create theaforementioned desired topographies. Moreover, the generatedthree-dimensional surface map may be exported in a variety of electronicformats to other popular surveying, civil engineering, and miningsoftware, such as Vulcan 5™ (Maptek, Pty Ltd., Glenside, Australia), orprinted as two-dimensional hard copy. The designed three-dimensionalsurface has stability against erosion for slopes and channels, whilemeeting the user input dimensional criteria. The completed design modelay be taken to the construction site using survey and stakes, or outputelectronically to GPS and/or laser-guided construction equipment.

The embodiments described herein may be used to design fluvialgeomorphic landscapes in substantially any location.

Embodiments of the invention having been described, referring to FIGS.3-31, the following is a description of the operation thereof. As shownin FIG. 3, the user may sketch the project boundary (which may coincidewith watershed boundary or be a subset of the watershed), and a draftdrainage pattern. In FIG. 4, a system dialog box is opened, with theboundary button active, and remaining dialog buttons inactive.

In FIG. 5, the user has selected project boundary. System 30′ hascalculated and displayed the project area and activated subsequentfields. In FIG. 6, the user has selected the main valley bottom channeland the system offers the option of either permitting the user to choosethe transition point from the headwater to bottom reaches, orautomatically determining this point.

Turning to FIG. 7, the user has selected the main channel, the systemdisplays the main channel's length, and a dialog box to easily enter thethree-dimensional existing surface file appears. In FIG. 8, the existingsurface file has been selected and appears in the input window. Thesystem has automatically calculated and displayed the main channel'shead and base level elevations from the information previously enteredand/or from the three-dimensional surface file.

As shown in FIG. 9, the Settings button allows the user to editinformation that the system will use in its calculations, which rangefrom default to site-specific values. The system provides defaultsettings that have proven appropriate in the semi-arid western UnitedStates. Using the Settings button, the user may also enter a desiredcut/fill variance for use by the system's material balance calculator.

In FIG. 10, the user has input a three-dimensional file for the ExistingSurface using the convenient Browse button, which provides a pop-updialog box as described above. The system can compare surfaces tocalculate volumes.

FIG. 11 shows the Channels tab active with default settings. Using thepreviously input information and the input (default or user specified)values in the channels tab, the system has designed a concavelongitudinal profile for the design channels, beginning with the mainvalley bottom channel. Shown in FIG. 12, the ‘Profile’ button hasgenerated a pop-up window appearing with the longitudinal profile of thecurrent channel displayed. Moving the cursor across the profile causesthe system to display the station, elevation, and slope at any point thecursor crosses. Concurrently, an arrow appears on the drawing indicatingthe position of the cursor in the longitudinal profile screen. Thisassists the user in editing the design real time, for example todetermine the main channel values at its confluence with a tributarychannel.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the longitudinal profile tool is also apowerful tool to examine and edit slope profiles. The system enables theuser to visually edit the profile of any slope or channel polyline andit will automatically adjust all connecting polylines to fit the editedprofile. An arrow appears on the design drawing at the point the cursoris passing in the profile viewer. Double clicking above or below theline ‘pulls’ the profile to the new elevation. The system also enablesthe user to edit the upper and lower slope values for any longitudinalprofile polyline and all connecting polylines will be adjusted to matchthe edited profile.

In FIG. 14, the ‘Name’ button provides for convenient naming of thechannels in the generated design. The system automatically assigns namesto all channels in the design according to a convention that has provento eliminate confusion during construction. As shown in FIG. 15, thesystem numbers channels from the headwaters sequentially downstream,automatically. Regardless of the sequence that the user ‘Adds’ channelsusing the ‘Add’ button, the system continuously adjusts all channelnames as they are added to follow this convention until the design iscomplete. The current channel shown, Gulch L2R1, is the first right-banktributary entering the second left-bank tributary to Gulch.

In FIG. 16, the system has constructed a three-dimensional network ofchannels, with cross sectional dimensions and plan-view geometry basedon conveying discharge resulting from annual storms through extremeevents (50-year) before greater discharges access the floodplain. Allthe channels are connected in a continuous concave longitudinal profileas shown in this 3D view (the user does not normally see this view, asall these calculations are performed nearly instantaneously). The viewhas 6:1 vertical exaggeration to help the user view the design.

As shown in FIG. 17, as each channel is added, the system defines theridgelines between the new channel and the nearest adjacent channels ordesign boundaries. The system calculates and displays below the channelinput windows the area of the new channel's subwatershed, the length ofthe new channel, and the drainage density of the new channel'ssubwatershed. The user can shift ridgelines to vary the drainagedensities towards the design target. In the output tab of FIG. 18, theoverall drainage density for the design is calculated and reported toallow the user to determine if the design meets the target drainagedensity.

The ‘Preview’ button (FIG. 19) displays the channel reaches and mainridgelines that the system has designed using the user inputs. Channelssteeper than −0.04 gradient are depicted as zig-zag lines and channelsless than −0.04 gradient are shown as sinuously curved lines. Thedimension lines for cross sections of the less than −0.04 gradientchannels are shown. This preview allows the user to conveniently realignthe channels and ridges, for example, to avoid a particular feature likea property boundary or cultural resource, or to vary the channel patternfrom the idealized design to create a more random and naturalappearance.

The ‘Draw Design Surface’ button (FIG. 20) provides a pop-up window thatthe user can use to specify various settings, such as extendingtriangulation outside the design boundary for more accurateinterpolation, for the ‘Draw Design Surface’ command. The user can editthe default settings or accept them, and select the ‘OK’ button toproceed with the specified settings.

As shown in FIG. 21, the system uses all the input data, including mainridgeline plan view curvature and channel meanders, to add subridges andsubridge valleys to the design. The system automatically creates concavelongitudinal profiles for all of these surfaces. It presents a pop-updialog box with which the user can edit contouring or select defaultvalues for one-button contouring from the TIN file.

The system contours the design and displays a pop-up dialog box withpotential contouring conflicts for easy user inspection of the drawing,as shown in FIG. 22.

Once the user has cleared the contouring error dialog box, as shown inFIG. 23, the system-presents a pop-up dialog box that offers the user anopportunity to save the draft design. The system offers the user theopportunity to create, in minutes, different designs for evaluation ofalternatives, thereby avoiding an otherwise lengthy and cost-prohibitiveprocess.

Turning to FIG. 24, once the user clears the ‘Save Project As’ dialogbox, the dockable dialog box clears from the screen allowing full accessto all SurvCADD™ (and AutoCAD™) commands. The user may, for example,remove design elements such as ridgelines from the drawing view usingpowerful SurvCADD editing commands, e.g., freeze layer. The user maythen view the design as a topographic contour map (FIG. 25).

The system menu (FIG. 26) includes a selection to view the TIN surfacemodule of the design as three-dimensional image with one-button clickaccess to the 3D viewer. The ‘3D viewer’ rendering of the TIN surfacemodel of the design surface is shown in FIG. 27. The ‘3D viewer’ alsoallows the TIN model of the design surface to be colored according toelevation. This feature assists in creating bench plans for efficientconstruction of the design, especially when coordinated with GPSequipment guidance and machine control technologies. The system allowson-the-fly design changes that can be sent directly to machine operatorsusing radio, IP connections, etc.

As shown in FIG. 28, the system menu also includes the ability tocalculate the cut/fill balance as the design is edited. In FIG. 29, thedockable dialog box displays the cut to fill variance from balance as apercent. Additionally, if the cut/fill balance is within theuser-specified tolerance in the system ‘Settings’, the balance appearshighlighted in green; if the balance is outside the user-specifiedtolerance, it is highlighted in red, as shown at 80.

The ‘Create Report’ button (FIG. 30) displays a pop-up dialog box thatallows the user to customize the report format or accept default values,and display or not display channel characteristic values for a standardchannel classification scheme for comparison with report values for thedesign. The Report (FIG. 31) displays various values that are used tocreate each design channel. Values for typical channel types may also bedisplayed for comparison. This report feature makes it easy for the userto identify areas that he may want to edit and to evaluate the effect ofdesign editing.

The following illustrative example is intended to demonstrate certainaspects of the present invention. It is to be understood that thisexample should not be construed as limiting.

EXAMPLE

An exemplary software system was produced in accordance with theforegoing teachings, and included the functions listed below:

-   -   Localized settings for ridge line to channel head    -   Localized settings for target drainage density    -   Automatic calculation and display of drainage density for each        subwatershed    -   Setting for percent variance from target drainage density and        color-coded notification of maintenance or exceedance of        user-specified variance    -   Setting for percent variance from cut/fill balance for the        design and one-button calculation of material balance with        color-coded notification of maintenance or exceedance of        user-specified variance    -   Setting for detail resolution on vertical curves    -   Setting for detail resolution on ridge lines    -   Setting for global drawing of subridge angles from channels to        main ridgelines    -   Setting for slope angle based on slope aspect    -   Setting to limit the design ridge height to less than watershed        boundary elevation or allow higher local elevations    -   One-button calculation of area of the design    -   Ability to add and incorporate upstream runoff into the design    -   One button design of main valley bottom channel to default        settings    -   Ability to segregate any channel into steeper gradient headwater        and lower gradient valley-bottom reaches with a single click    -   One-button selection of three-dimensional design and existing        surface files for the design work and cut/fill material volume        calculations    -   Automated channel-naming routine to name each channel according        to a convention to facilitate easy communication during        construction    -   One-button longitudinal profile viewer and powerful profile        editor with real-time position locator on drawing provides for        easy design editing    -   Changing any channel setting automatically redesigns entire        project in accordance with new parameter    -   One-button access to NOAA precipitation database and click        importation of precipitation data to channel design    -   Automatic connection of each tributary channel to its receiving        channel at matching gradient and calculation and design of        tributary channel from confluence to headwater with correct        sinuosity and channel geometry for channel gradient    -   Automatic creation of continuously enlarging channel cross        sections according to specified width to depth ratio and        discharge calculated as a function of the continuously        increasing watershed area    -   Automatic design of main ridges between channels as the channels        are added to the design    -   Automatic design of subridges and subridge valley slopes from        main ridges to channels as the channels are added to the design    -   Ability to draw entire design with one-button selection.

Provision for preferences on design attributes to be considered anddisplayed in drawing

-   -   Single click creates TIN file and contours entire design and        draws contours    -   Automatic reporting of any contouring irregularities facilitates        fast inspection and detail editing    -   Ability to save design projects with a single click facilitates        rapid creation and comparison of alternative designs    -   One-button Update Volume calculation provides near-instantaneous        volume calculations for completed design provides ability to        immediately see the effect of design edits on material balance    -   3-D surface view allows one-button viewing of three-dimensional        TIN file model of design    -   3-D contour view allows one-button viewing of three-dimensional        design as surface would actually appear    -   Powerful cut/fill centroids routine locates the center of a        material mass needed to create the design, the center of a        volume where the material mass needs to be moved to create the        design, and the optimal material movement route for placement of        the material.    -   One-button creation of a design report that displays all fluvial        geomorphological parameters used to create the design for each        channel and provides for comparison to established channel type        parameters

Although the embodiments discussed herein have been described inconjunction with the creation of proposed landforms having ephemeralchannels, those skilled in the art should recognize that the teachingshereof may be used to create landforms having intermittent and/orperennial channels, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent inventnion.

In the preceding specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereunto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings areaccordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictivesense.

1. A system for producing erosionally stable fluvial geomorphiclandscape designs in a computer aided design environment, said systemcomprising: a topography input module configured to access athree-dimensional model of existing topography of a site; a data inputmodule configured to receive data associated with the site, includingdrainage density and precipitation data in the range of at least anannual precipitation event to a 50-year recurrence precipitation event,to calculate a discharge value for the discharge of storm water from thesite; a channel geometry module configured to divide the discharge valueby a maximum desired discharge flow velocity to generate cross-sectionaldimensions for a plurality of proposed ephemeral channels and ridgesdisposed therebetween; the cross-sectional dimensions being sufficientto convey discharge in the range of at least an annual precipitationevent to a 50-year recurrence precipitation event; the cross-sectionaldimensions being re-calculated iteratively at locations along thelengths of the channels to adjust the channel dimensions to reflectincremental increases in watershed area and flow in the downstreamdirection; and a design surface module configured to generate plan andelevational views of a proposed landform at the site using the existingtopography, the channels, and the ridges; wherein a three-dimensionalmodel of the proposed landform is created according to fluvialgeomorphic principles and site-specific data.
 2. A system for producingerosionally stable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in a computeraided design environment, said system comprising: a topography inputmodule configured to access a three-dimensional model of existingtopography of a site; a data input module configured to receive climaticand hydrological data associated with the site; a channel geometrymodule configured to utilize the three-dimensional model and the data togenerate dimensions for one or more proposed ephemeral channels; adesign surface module configured to generate a graphical view of aproposed landform at the site using the existing topography, and the oneor more proposed ephemeral channels.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe data input module is configured to receive drainage density andprecipitation data for the site, including data for an annualprecipitation event.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the data inputmodule is configured to receive user defined elevational data for thesite.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the data input module isconfigured to obtain the data via a computer network.
 6. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the data input module is configured to receive drainagedensity and precipitation data for the site, including data for a50-year recurrence precipitation event.
 7. The system of claim 2,wherein the channel geometry module is configured to divide thedischarge value by a desired discharge flow velocity to generatecross-sectional dimensions for the one or more proposed ephemeralchannels.
 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the channel geometry moduleis configured to generate dimensions for one or more intermittentchannel or perennial stream channel.
 9. The system of claim 7, whereinthe cross-sectional dimensions are sufficient to convey dischargesassociated with a 50-year recurrence precipitation event.
 10. The systemof claim 7, wherein the channel geometry module is configured tocalculate cross-sectional dimensions iteratively at locations along thelength of the channels to account for incremental increases in watershedarea and flow in the downstream direction.
 11. The system of claim 2,wherein the channel geometry module is configured to generate at leastone complementary landscape feature selected from the group consistingof complex slopes, ridges, and valleys.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the design surface module is configured to generate a graphicalview of a proposed landform at the site including a pattern of channelsand the at least one complementary landscape feature.
 13. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the design surface module is configured to generate athree-dimensional model of the proposed landform according to fluvialgeomorphic principles and site-specific data.
 14. The system of claim 2,further comprising a cut/fill module configured to calculate materialbalance of the proposed landform relative to the existing topography.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the design surface module isconfigured to selectively display a view of the existing topography andthe proposed landform.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the cut/fillmodule is configured to generate cut and fill values for points withinthe site.
 17. The system of claim 16, comprising a geography alteringmachine having a GPS receiver system including one or more GPSsignal-receiving antennae disposed thereon, wherein the cut and fillvalues provide a real time indication of the cut/fill required at thelocation of the machine to bring the elevation at the location to thatspecified by the proposed landform.
 18. The system of claim 17, whereinthe geography altering machine comprises a machine selected from thegroup consisting of motor graders, bulldozers, trucks, power shovels,and excavators.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the proposedlandform is configured to be built using available on-site material. 20.The system of claim 2, wherein the design surface module is configuredto enable adjustment of at least one parameter of the proposed landform,and using the channel geometry module, re-generate the graphical viewbased on the adjusted parameter.
 21. A method for generating erosionallystable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in a computer aided designenvironment, said method comprising: (a) accessing a three dimensionalmodel of an existing topography of a site; (b) receiving climatic andhydrological data for the site; (c) generating dimensions for one ormore ephemeral channels using the three-dimensional model and the data;(d) generating a graphical view of a proposed landform at the site usingthe existing topography, and the one or more proposed ephemeralchannels.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said receiving (b)comprises receiving drainage density and precipitation data for thesite, including data for an annual precipitation event.
 23. The methodof claim 22, wherein said receiving (b) comprises receiving user definedelevational data for the site.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein saidreceiving (b) further comprises receiving the data via a computernetwork.
 25. The method of claim 2, wherein the data input module isconfigured to receive drainage density and precipitation data for thesite, including data for a 50-year recurrence precipitation event. 26.The method of claim 21, wherein said generating (c) comprises dividingthe discharge value by a desired discharge flow velocity to generatecross-sectional dimensions for the one or more proposed ephemeralchannels.
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein said generating (c)further comprises generating dimensions for one or more intermittentchannel or perennial stream channel.
 28. The method of claim 26, whereinthe cross-sectional dimensions are sufficient to convey dischargesassociated with a 50-year recurrence precipitation event.
 29. The methodof claim 26, wherein said generating (c) is effected iteratively tocalculate cross-sectional dimensions at locations along the length ofthe channels to account for incremental increases in watershed area andflow in the downstream direction.
 30. The method of claim 21, whereinsaid generating (c) further comprises generating at least onecomplementary landscape feature selected from the group consisting ofcomplex slopes, ridges, and valleys.
 31. The method of claim 30, whereinsaid generating (d) comprises generating a graphical view of a proposedlandform at the site including a pattern of channels and the at leastone complementary landscape feature.
 32. The method of claim 30, whereinsaid generating (d) comprises generating a three-dimensional model ofthe proposed landform according to fluvial geomorphic principles andsite-specific data.
 33. The method of claim 21, comprising (e)calculating the difference in material volume between the existingtopography and the proposed landform to provide a material balance. 34.The method of claim 33, comprising (f) selectively displaying a view ofthe existing topography and the proposed landform.
 35. The method ofclaim 33, wherein said calculating (e) comprises generating cut and fillvalues for points within the site.
 36. The method of claim 35, whereinsaid generating (d) and said calculating (e) is effected in conjunctionwith operation of a geography altering machine having a GPS receiversystem including one or more GPS signal-receiving antennae disposedthereon, wherein the cut and fill values provide a real time indicationof the cut/fill required at the location of the machine to bring theelevation at the location to that specified by the proposed landform.37. The method of claim 36, wherein the geography altering machinecomprises a machine selected from the group consisting of motor graders,bulldozers, trucks, power shovels, and excavators.
 38. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the proposed landform is configured to be built usingavailable on-site material.
 39. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising: (e) enabling a user to adjust at least one parameter of theproposed landform; and (f) repeating said generating (c) and (d) basedon the user adjusted parameter.
 40. An article of manufacture forgenerating erosionally stable fluvial geomorphic landscape designs in acomputer aided design environment, said article of manufacturingcomprising: a computer usable medium having a computer readable programcode embodied therein, said computer usable medium including: computerreadable program code for accessing a three dimensional model of anexisting topography of a site; computer readable program code forreceiving climatic and hydrological data for the site; computer readableprogram code for generating dimensions for one or more ephemeralchannels using the three-dimensional model and the data; and computerreadable program code for generating a graphical view of a proposedlandform at the site using the existing topography, and the one or moreproposed ephemeral channels.
 41. A graphical user interface (GUI) fordisplaying in real time the position of a blade on a geography alteringmachine relative to a work site, said GUI comprising: a display of athree dimensional model of an existing topography of a site; a displayof received climatic and hydrological data for the site; a graphicaldisplay of dimensions for one or more ephemeral channels; and agraphical display of a proposed landform at the site including aspectsof the existing topography and the one or more proposed ephemeralchannels.